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Tennessee football roster: Projecting the Vols’ 2017 2-deep depth chart

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium at halftime during the game between Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium at halftime during the game between Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Jarrett Johnson (40) and Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Brett Kendrick (63) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Jarrett Johnson (40) and Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Brett Kendrick (63) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Tackle

1. Drew Richmond (LT)

Drew Richmond generated lots of buzz among Tennessee football fans going into last year as coaches gave off the impression that he had figured things out. Once a five-star recruit who had to redshirt for the 2015 season, that generated a ton of buzz around fans. But he had some growing pains on the field, and like the rest of the line, he suffered injuries down the stretch.

However, after spring practice, Butch Jones has locked Richmond in at left tackle, which is why we have him No. 1 on our depth chart right now. The 6’5″ 301-pound sophomore is clearly the top guy on the roster, and it looks like he’s fully reaching his potential.

2. Brett Kendrick (RT)

Although we have Hall and Richmond as the starters, Butch Jones runs a rotation at tackle, so Brett Kendrick at No. 3 on this list will see as much action as Hall and Richmond. The 6’6″ 318-pound senior has more size and experience than anybody else at tackle, and he’s your prototypical offensive lineman.

Probably the only reason he’s No. 3 is we project he’ll likely flip between right and left tackle. But he’ll still see the field a lot.

3. Marcus Tatum

Obviously, with two starting tackles, a two-deep depth chart would require four tackles. Marcus Tatum is the fourth guy on the list. He saw action in two games last year as a freshman. Now, the 6’6″ 265-pound sophomore may be undersized, but he worked his way into the two-deep depth chart this spring. Just check out this article by Patrick Brown of GoVols247 to see that. Tatum is the clear backup in this rotation, but he’s on the two-deep chart now and will likely see the field some.

4. Ryan Johnson

A four-star offensive tackle as a member of the 2016 Tennessee football recruiting class out of Brentwood Academy, Ryan Johnson may play earlier than expected. He has the talent and the size at 6’6″ 300 pounds, and after redshirting last year, he should be familiar with the system. The season-ending injury to Chance Hall could now move him into the rotation, but his lack of experience is why we have him at No. 4 here.

NOTE: This post was updated after the news that Chance Hall, who was No. 2 on the depth chart, would have season-ending surgery. 

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